On Friday, May 31, 2109 Christian Medina, of OC Animal Care, holds one of the more than 140 dogs that were removed from a home in Orange, CA the previous day. The dogs were being cared for at OC Animal Care in Tustin. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)

On Friday, May 31, 2109 OC Animal Care Officer Natalizio holds one of the more than 140 dogs that were removed from a home in Orange, CA the previous day. The dogs were being cared for at OC Animal Care in Tustin. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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On Friday, May 31, 2109 Christian Medina and Officer Natalizio, from left, both with OC Animal Care, hold two of the more than 140 dogs that were removed from a home in Orange, CA the previous day. The dogs were being cared for at OC Animal Care in Tustin. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Two dogs play at OC Animal Care in Tustin on Friday, May 31, 2019. The dogs were two of the more than 140 that were removed from a home in Orange, CA the previous day. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)

A dog plays at OC Animal Care in Tustin on Friday, May 31, 2019. The dog was part of the more than 140 that were removed from a home in Orange, CA the previous day. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)

A dog eats at OC Animal Care in Tustin on Friday, May 31, 2019. The dog was part of the more than 140 that were removed from a home in Orange, CA the previous day. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)

A dog rests at OC Animal Care in Tustin on Friday, May 31, 2019. The dog was part of the more than 140 that were removed from a home in Orange, CA the previous day. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Two of 136 dogs are removed from a house in the 3800 block of East Woodbine Avenue in Orange, CA on Thursday, May 30, 2019. (OCHawk)

One of 136 dogs is removed from a house in the 3800 block of East Woodbine Avenue in Orange, CA on Thursday, May 30, 2019. (OCHawk)

A sign is taped on a house in the 3800 block of East Woodbine Avenue in Orange, CA after 136 dogs were removed on Thursday, May 30, 2019. (OCHawk)

Two of 136 dogs are removed from a house in the 3800 block of East Woodbine Avenue in Orange, CA on Thursday, May 30, 2019. (OCHawk)

A house in the 3800 block of East Woodbine Avenue in Orange, CA had 136 dogs removed on Thursday, May 30, 2019. (OCHawk)

Two dogs sit in an Orange County Animal Care truck after 136 dogs total were removed from a house in the 3800 block of East Woodbine Avenue in Orange, CA on Thursday, May 30, 2019. (OCHawk)

Animal control officers clad in hazmat suits removed dogs from a large home in a gated community in Orange that was red-tagged after 136 of the animals were found living in filthy condition, authorities said.

Video from the scene showed Orange County Animal Care officials removing animals from the home in the 3800 block of East Woodbine Avenue.

Orange police said they were contacted by Animal Care officials around 2:20 p.m. after an anonymous tip for possible animal cruelty. The residents allowed officers to enter the home and conduct a welfare check on the animals.

Based on that inspection, the house was declared uninhabitable.

“There was very little furniture inside of that residence, and there was dog excrement, urine all over, inside, on the floor,” Sgt. Phil McMullen of the Orange Police Department told KCAL9. “It appeared to be unlivable. The smell was unbearable for me. I’m surprised how people can live in that situation.”

Police said the two residents of the home were given misdemeanor citations for animal cruelty, but the case was ongoing and further charges were possible.

According to multiple media reports, the dogs were all small breeds, mostly Shih Tzus and Maltese poodles, indicating that the home was being used for dog breeding.

McMullen said some of the dogs has obvious health problems, but no further information was available on their condition.

City News Service is a regional wire service covering Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Diego counties. Its reporting and editing staff cover public safety, courts, local government and general assignment stories. Contact the City News Service newsroom at 310-481-0404 or news@socalnews.com.

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